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Rajendra first player from Jude Felix Hockey Academy to play for French club

A decade ago, when former India captain and Olympian Jude Felix started his hockey academy for underprivileged children here, 10-year-old Rajendra M was among the 60 from the St. Mary's Orphanage to join the programme.

| TNN | Feb 25, 2019, 21:52 IST

BENGALURU: A decade ago, when former India captain and Olympian Jude Felix started his hockey academy for underprivileged children here, 10-year-old Rajendra M was among the 60 from the St. Mary's Orphanage to join the programme.

Back then the midfielder, who also doubles as a striker, played the sport for fun, but a few years down the line, he realised it was his calling.

Come Tuesday morning, the 19-year-old will board an international flight for the first time to live a dream. In a first for the Jude Felix Hockey Academy, Rajendra, who is currently with Sports Authority of India's Centre of Excellence, has being signed up by Racing club de France for the second half of the French National League.

The club, situated in Versailles near Paris, is one of the oldest clubs in the country, with its inception dating back to 1897. Rajendra will join the team on Wednesday and play in the second half of the league which runs till May. During his stint at the club, the Al-Ameen College student will also coach youngsters at the club.

Rajendra was picked following a visit by former French captain Christian Michaelis to the academy in 2017 where he spent a week coaching the wards. Michaelis was impressed with the teenager's skills and when the club decided to work with the academy to help the boys turn professional, Rajendra was the first choice.

An elated Rajendra told TOI, "It is a dream come true to play for a reputed club abroad. This is a stepping stone for me to reach my ultimate goal which is to represent the country."

The youngster, who is a Karnataka team regular and was also in the junior India camp a few years ago, said he wasn't always serious about the sport, but once he found his calling, he gave it his all.

"My mother left me at the St Mary's Orphanage when I was 5. A few years later I started playing hockey. Initially, I played for fun and later realized I had to achieve something in the sport. I knew I had the ability and I had the entire team at JFHA backing me. So, the only thing I had to do was work hard and I did just that. I started going for practice half an hour before schedule and worked on my strength and conditioning in the gym. I believe this opportunity is a result of the efforts put in by my coaches and my hard work."

Terming Rajendra's journey a huge achievement for JFHA, an emotional Felix said, "It is extremely satisfying to see Rajendra's progress. He is a very talented youngster, who has battled odds to chase his dreams. I hope he continues to work hard and stays focused."

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